Sarah Thiebaud was looking to accomplish great things as her senior season on the Butler High School girls track and field team drew to a close.

She had just set a personal record in the triple jump, reaching 37 feet, 1 inch, and had her sights set on the school record and her third consecutive trip to the PIAA Track and Field Championships in Shippensburg.

"I had just fixed my landing," Thiebaud said. "Everything was going great."

But it was an innocent landing during a practice run that made her promising season come crashing to a halt.

Thiebaud turned her left ankle awkwardly while practicing her landings during a meet against North Allegheny.

A trip to the emergency room confirmed the worst: she had a third degree sprain and torn ligaments in the joint. Her season was most likely over.

Yet Thiebaud held out hope that she would be able to compete in the WPIAL team competition just two days later. She thought it might be possible for her to participate in the WPIAL qualifier a week later.

Neither happened and now Thiebaud must watch today as her teammates try to qualify for the state meet at the WPIAL Class AAA championships in Baldwin.

"I had every hope I would be healed enough to compete," Thiebaud said. "I was willing to do anything to get back. I told my coaches I would be back (for the team competition). Then I told them I would be back for individuals. But I couldn't promise what I didn't have to promise.

"It was a fluke accident for me. I've jumped and landed on it a million times. Things happen for a reason, I guess."

Even if Thiebaud can't figure out what those reasons are just yet.

It was uncomfortable for her, sitting and watching as her teammates tried to topple NA and win the WPIAL crown. They didn't, falling to the Tigers.

"It's very tough because I'm more of a doer than a watcher," Thiebaud said. "I want to be out there competing and helping the team. The worst part is having the desire but having a cast on your foot."

It was even more difficult for her last week at the WPIAL qualifier when she realized she wouldn't be going to the state meet for the first time since she narrowly missed as a freshman.

"She was jumping very well," said Butler girls track and field coach Rod Harris. "Then, boom! It was over."

Thiebaud has been trying to help her teammates as much as she can. Her left ankle is still encased in a boot-like cast and it will be weeks before she can resume activity on the injured foot.

She has tried to lend moral support, particularly to junior Kendall Butch, who is trying to advance to the state meet in three events: the pole vault, high jump and triple jump.

Last year, Thiebaud and Butch both qualified and competed in the high jump at the PIAA championships.

"I've tried to do all I can to help Kendall," Butch said. "I'm trying to be supportive. She's such a natural athlete. She deserves it."

Last year, Thiebaud qualified for the state meet in the high jump and triple jump. As a sophomore she reached Shippensburg in the triple jump.

But all is not lost for Thiebaud.

She is rehabilitating the injured ankle and it will be mended by next season, when she will compete for Division II West Chester.

Thiebaud had an offer to go to Syracuse, but she wanted to make an immediate impact on the college track.

"At Syracuse I'd be a little fish in a big sea," she said.

Thiebaud always has wanted to be the big fish.

She said she would accompany the state qualifiers to Shippensburg next week if she could.

For now, she is focused on healing and trying not to think too much about what could have been.

"When it hit me (that my season was over), it was devastating," Thiebaud said. "I felt I had so much left to accomplish. But I'll be able to continue my career in college. I know I have four more years left."